Johnson Asiedu Nketia
National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has raised strong concerns over what he describes as a premature and dangerous scramble within the party and government to succeed President John Mahama, only three months into his administration.
In an interview with Accra FM, Mr. Nketia, who is popularly known as ‘General Mosquito’, warned that such internal competition, if left unchecked, could derail the Mahama-led government’s performance and sow deep divisions within the NDC.
“If you were President Mahama and three months into your government, some members have already started jostling to succeed you, how can you concentrate on the job?” he questioned.
The NDC Chairman cited growing rumours and social media posts suggesting that top figures in government, including Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu, the Vice President, and himself, are positioning themselves to take over after Mahama. He stressed that this kind of speculation is already creating tension and rivalry within the party.
“We are just running around saying a certain Minister is better than the Chief of Staff, who is his boss—and we have four years ahead of us. What does that mean?” he said. “These things are dangerous for us.”
Mr. Nketia recounted a similar situation in 2020 when TV host Paul Adom-Otchere, speculated on potential leadership pairings within the NDC following the party’s loss in the general election. He said he had to publicly shut down those discussions to preserve unity and focus.
“He started with permutations—Mahama pairing with me, Bagbin pairing with someone else. I saw that and realised this could knock our heads together. I called it village lotto forecasting. After that, he stopped, and it gave us peace to prepare for the next elections,” he said.
According to the NDC Chairman, the latest wave of succession talk, which he linked to political analyst Mussa K. Dankwah, carries similar dangers and must be curtailed immediately.
“This is not about whether it’s accurate or not. It’s about the potential to disrupt the government. If we allow this competition and permutation to fester, it will breed suspicion, motivate corruption, and ultimately damage our government,” he emphasised.
He appealed to all party members and government appointees to rally behind President Mahama and avoid any actions that could undermine his administration.
“Our fate is tied to the success of President Mahama. If scandals hit us because of this competition, that will be the end of us. Let’s give the President and Chief of Staff the peace of mind they need to lead,” he stated.
Mr. Nketia concluded with a stern warning that misinterpretation of decisions by top government officials, particularly the Chief of Staff, could paralyse governance and plunge the party into disarray.
Afenyo-Markin Prediction
Meanwhile, the Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has predicted that the governing NDC would soon face internal challenges over succession planning as President John Mahama begins what is expected to be his final term in office.
Speaking in an interview with veteran talk show host Kwaku Sintim-Misa (KSM), Mr. Afenyo-Markin said political dynamics within the NDC could soon shift, with key players already beginning to look beyond Mahama’s presidency.
“Obviously, the NDC would also have its own challenge,” the Minority Leader said. “Bear in mind that President Mahama has just a term already. I can foresee some internal alignment because by 2027 he may be a lame duck.”
According to Afenyo-Markin, political ambition is a natural part of party dynamics, and some NDC members may begin positioning themselves for leadership as the Mahama era approaches its constitutional limit.
“Politicians always have ambition. So his people may say, ‘Oh, the man is going, what do we do?’ Succession plan. So, there could be internal fights,” he noted.
While he did not name any specific individuals, Mr. Afenyo-Markin’s comments reflect growing speculation that jockeying for influence and future leadership roles may already be underway within the ruling party, just months into Mahama’s final term.
His remarks also come in the wake of warnings by NDC National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketia, who cautioned against premature succession debates and internal rivalry, describing them as potentially disruptive to the government’s effectiveness and unity.
By Ernest Kofi Adu